Congress is back to its old self again. Doing very little and creating a stalemate for the American people. During this lull in politics more Americans are losing jobs, benefits and homes thanks in large part to one of the worst economies since the Great Depression. When you graduate you hope to get a job commensurate with your degree that will pay well and have benefits. It may take you months to land that first real job and you may find yourself beside the millions of currently unemployed Americans. I personally pray that everyone maintains a healthy outlook in life; but for a few, there may be medical challenges ahead.The truth is that the health benefits today are diminishing because companies are cutting costs, one of which is health care.So you may be asking, what do I need to know about health care? Students across America should be glued to CSPAN or carrying pitchforks with regards to health care reform. Why? Because students will be the newest members of the workforce to test its limitations and possible problems.Even with the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935, the program had to undergo many changes. During that time the Supreme Court struck down pieces of Social Security jeopardizing the program entirely. But after years of citizens and Congress working together, Social Security proved to work — 75 years later, its still around. Just think what first steps we could have with a national health care plan? Years ago, Tylenol and other over-the-counter drugs required a prescription. Today, you can purchase basically anything you want without much need for a doctor. Self-diagnosis is not always the best medicine, though. Having a doctor’s order speeds recovery and reduces the costs associated with a complicated medical battle. You would not take Tylenol to treat cancer. But without health care benefits, that may be your only option. Ask your parents, professors or friends what they would do without health insurance. Or take a field trip to your local unemployment office and ask how those in line manage without health insurance? Now fast forward to graduation and ask how you will manage without health insurance. Imagine a national disaster like that in Haiti or Chili in the United States. How do you think the injured will be cared for? Ask those that survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Thousands are still paying outstanding health care costs and many of the survivors do not have adequate health coverage — or any at all. Many of those same survivors are disqualified from decent employment because of their credit rating due to the piles of unpaid health care bills, which vary from $8,000 for the underinsured to $24,000 for uninsured Louisianans. If you are diagnosed with a preexisting condition you may not qualify for health insurance. Preexisting conditions can be anything from too many headaches to stress and diabetes. But if insurance companies have their way they can redefine preexisting conditions to just about anything in order to profit from ordinary people.The health care debate is not about Democrats or Republicans. The debate is about the right to have health care. Doctor and hospital visits will grow to staggering costs if we do not act now. Imagine America without Social Security. This is the same scenario without health care. The current plan before congress is not perfect, but neither was Social Security in 1935. It may not be perfect, but at least it’s there. Health care will not be perfect at first but for 40 million, or more, uninsured citizens it would be a good start. Now imagine 33,000 students working together and collaborating to tackle health care reform. I bet the University would be on every major news network and health care reform could get back on track.